SOTECH 2010 Volume: 8 Issue: 6 (August)
Quiet Shots
SureFire LLC, manufacturer of high-end illumination tools and tactical products, have released their Mini and Micro suppressors. Both work with existing SureFire flash hider and muzzle brake suppressor adapters, but come in a significantly smaller package than previous models. At 5 inches in length and 14 ounces in weight, the Mini suppressor is SureFire’s new 5.56 mm suppressor. At 4 inches long and 12 ounces in weight, the compact and lightweight SureFire Micro suppressor is designed to attenuate the sound signature of a carbine or rifle to a safe level, as well as reduce the dust and flash signature while minimizing added weight and length to a host weapon with a 14.5 inch barrel or longer. The Micro, like the Mini, features the Fast Attach system for rapid attachment/ detachment on any weapon equipped with a compatible SureFire suppressor adapter. Thanks to SureFire’s overlapping mount, only 1.75 inches are added to the length of the rifle. SureFire’s proprietary suppressor design not only reduces the sound levels and muzzle flash of a fired weapon, helping to protect an operator’s hearing and keep his location concealed, it also typically increases projectile velocity and improves a weapon’s accuracy.
Ron Canfield: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Breathing Free
Avon Protection, a part of Avon Rubber p.l.c., has achieved CE certification for its innovative ST53 multifunctional respiratory system. Developed with the unknown elements of a threat scenario in mind, this award cements the ST53’s position as the most advanced respiratory solution on the market, and Avon as one of the leading CBRN respiratory manufacturers in the world. What the ST53 can give you is a selection of respiratory possibilities when in the heat of a threat scenario. To start with, it uses the FM53 mask at its core, due to its ability to switch between negative (filter) and positive (SCBA) pressure at the flick of an easy to locate lever on the front of the mask. With a short (seven or 14 minutes) or long duration (up to approximately 60 minutes) compressed air cylinder attached, it is possible to enter a location on filter mode, assess the situation, and then change to SCBA mode if the need arises without having to leave and change equipment. With a range of accessories available, such as vision correction frames for those wearing glasses, clear, sunlight, laser and blueblocker outserts and voice projection units with internal microphone, the ST53 is the perfect versatile system for building and confined space entry where the threats are unknown.
By adding CE certification to its long list of benefits, Avon have now made the ST53 accessible to a wider audience, including police forces, SWAT teams, special forces, private security firms and other civilian establishments. Many of these organizations require CE approval on their personal protective equipment before they will use it. Alongside this, the global terrorist threat being faced today has significantly more unknown and evolving elements to it, meaning those on the frontline need the versatility of this type of specialist equipment to successfully tackle each scenario. Adding CE approval was therefore the logical next step for the ST53 to widen its overall customer base.
Andy Parker: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Getting the Wounds Cleaned
Military planners looking for a way to improve the health of their troops and control costs can now do so with Saljet saline vials. These convenient, easy-to-use, unit dose disposable 30 ml vials of sterile saline fit perfectly in a field pack and allow soldiers in the field to quickly and effectively clean wounds without cumbersome large saline bottles and needles. “When a soldier is on a battlefield or away from base, a dirty wound can quickly turn into a major medical problem,” said Howard Rose, CEO of Winchester Laboratories, maker of Saljet. “Large bottles of saline are not practical for field use. However, a Saljet vial easily fits into a field kit or pocket and provides thorough wound cleansing that reduces infection rates and can keep the soldiers moving.” Each Saljet vial contains 30 ml of sterile saline that with a quick twist of the top is opened and then squeezed to deliver a steady stream at the correct pressure to cleanse the wound.
Keeping Your Feet Happy
For 40 consecutive years, Altama has been a prime contractor to the U.S. Department of Defense, supplying a wide range of military specification footwear to thousands of military personnel worldwide. From the jungles in Vietnam to the deserts in Iraq, Altama Footwear has been protecting the feet of allied soldiers while constantly anticipating and adapting their products to maximize their performance in various environments. Altama proudly continues its ongoing commitment to the development of serious military/combat boots and comfort footwear for the armed forces, and announced the arrival of the Altama Operation Oasis Mountain Hiker. Altama has developed an all-terrain/waterproof hiker designed to provide maximum comfort, stability and rugged durability in a variety of theaters and environments. The fully integrated Gore Tex lining offers superior waterproof protection without compromising breathability. The water-resistant full grain nu-buck leather upper has a high abrasion rubber rand along the perimeter that provides protection from cuts and damages to the leather from sharp rocks or other protruding objects. A full gusseted tongue with glove leather side wings and sprung design aids in closure and fit when laced.
Jami McCord: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Knowing the Weather and Your Target
Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters and Horus Vision have partnered to provide a powerful shooting tool that combines the critical environmental data and targeting software solutions required for precision shooting, all in one four-ounce pocket- sized unit. Previously, shooters would need to obtain environmental data from a Kestrel meter and then input that data into a PDA loaded with Horus ATrag ballistics software. Now, the Kestrel Ballistics Weather Tracker with Horus ATrag software contains all of the necessary data and solutions in one device to minimize user workload and distraction. The new unit allows users to load and customize multiple guns and rounds from the extensive proprietary Horus database. The Kestrel meter’s highly accurate measuring and averaging of wind and digital compass for target bearing and wind direction assists in defining the target winds. Once these parameters are set, the Kestrel meter takes over—tracking the current met data and automatically updating the firing solution using Horus ATrag advanced proprietary algorithms and taking coriolis and spin drift into account. No additional user input is required. Switch out of Horus mode and the Kestrel Ballistics Weather Tracker provides the full suite of Kestrel 4500 weather measurements and data logging. Instantly measure and log a multitude of conditions: wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, heat stress, barometric pressure, altitude, density altitude, crosswind and more.
Monica Devlin: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it